Conflict puts murder trial before a new judge

A murder trial was abruptly moved to a different judge Tuesday after the judge hearing the case said he had a personal conflict on the case.

Casimiro Rodriguez, 30, is awaiting trial on first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of Fort Collins resident James Goslin, 34, who was killed at Island Grove Village Apartments in Greeley last year.

Matthew Alfaro, 21, is also awaiting a trial for first-degree murder in the same case.

Tuesday, Weld District Judge Daniel Maus said he had a personal relationship with one of the deputy district attorneys, Robb Miller, who will be prosecuting Rodriguez. Rodriguez requested the case be moved to a different court.

Newly sworn District Judge Marcelo Kopcow will pick up the case; his clerks spent much of Tuesday morning’s hearing trying to fit in a hearing for it. Kopcow is still Weld County’s chief judge and his docket is chock-full of county court cases.

Recommended Stories For You

Rodriguez will be in court again, with Kopcow, at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 12.

Also Tuesday, Rodriguez’s lawyers said he has had concerns about his security at the Weld County Jail. Attorneys met with the judge behind closed doors to discuss options, including moving Rodriguez to another county until his trial.